Between Bruises and Butterflies

CUT TO: SCHOOL GYM – GROUP DANCE PRACTICE (Afternoon)

The gym echoes with the sound of sneakers squeaking against polished floors and music blasting through a speaker. The air is thick with anticipation and exhaustion, but no one's ready to quit just yet.

Students are scattered across the gym, practicing steps for the final day's group performance. Laughter and groans fill the space as people trip over each other or miss the beat.

Sienna wipes sweat off her forehead, panting, while Jayjay flops onto the floor like a dead fish.

JAYJAY (dramatic, arms spread out): This is it. This is how I die.

SIENNA (laughing, out of breath): Get up. We've only been practicing for an hour.

Zephyr stands by the speaker, arms crossed, eyes subtly tracking Sienna's every move. Damien leans against the wall, twirling a water bottle in his hand, gaze sharp as he watches Sienna laugh.

ZION (walking up to Sienna, grinning): You dance pretty well for someone who looks like she'd rather punch people.

SIENNA (raising an eyebrow): Is that supposed to be a compliment?

ZION (smirking): It's whatever you want it to be.

He steps closer, invading her space, and Damien immediately straightens up, jaw tight.

DAMIEN (muttering): Here we go again.

Zephyr's fingers clench slightly around the speaker knob, eyes narrowing as Zion grabs Sienna's hand and spins her in place like they're on a dance floor.

SIENNA (stumbling, laughing): What are you doing?

ZION (winking): Helping you loosen up. You're too stiff.

DAMIEN (sharply): She's not a toy, Santiago.

Zion just smirks, but he lets Sienna go.

ZION: Relax, Montemayor. I'm just being friendly.

DAMIEN: Yeah? Try being friendly somewhere else.

Sienna steps between them before things escalate, waving her hands like a referee.

SIENNA: Okay, break it up, testosterone squad.

Zephyr finally walks over, tossing Sienna a water bottle.

ZEPHYR (quietly, avoiding her eyes): Stay hydrated.

Sienna blinks, a little caught off guard by his sudden gentleness, but smiles anyway.

SIENNA: Thanks, Zey.

Zephyr glances away, swallowing hard, his face unreadable.

CUT TO: PRACTICE CONTINUES (30 MINUTES LATER)

They split into smaller groups to refine their choreography. Sienna gets paired with Damien — much to Zion's annoyance and Zephyr's quiet frustration.

SIENNA (teasing): Try not to step on my toes, Montemayor.

DAMIEN (smirking): No promises.

They move in sync, surprisingly well-matched despite their constant bickering. But every time Damien's hands land on Sienna's waist to guide her through spins, his grip lingers a little too long.

DAMIEN (voice low): You're not bad at this.

SIENNA (smirking): Careful, that almost sounded like a compliment.

He leans in, lips close to her ear, voice dripping with mischief.

DAMIEN: Don't get used to it.

Across the gym, Zephyr watches with a clenched jaw, wiping sweat off his face like it's an excuse to look away.

JAYJAY (whispering to Zephyr, snickering): If you stare any harder, you'll set them on fire.

Zephyr shoots him a glare, but his shoulders stay tense.

Meanwhile, Zion is not-so-subtly tossing a basketball between his hands, eyebrows raised as he watches Damien and Sienna dance.

ZION (mocking): Careful, Montemayor. You might trip and fall... in love.

Damien deadpans, not breaking the dance.

DAMIEN: Don't project your feelings onto me, Santiago.

The tension is palpable, but Sienna — oblivious to the full weight of it — just laughs.

SIENNA: You guys need to chill.

The music cuts out, and their teacher pokes her head in to tell them practice is over for the day.

CUT TO: LOCKER ROOM (After Practice)

The girls' locker room hums with chatter and the clang of locker doors. Sienna ties her hair into a messy bun, checking her phone. No messages from the unknown number. For once, she breathes easy.

Outside, Damien waits by the school gate, pretending to scroll through his phone but very clearly waiting for Sienna to come out.

Zephyr watches from the parking lot, pretending he's looking for his keys.

And Zion? Zion's already planning his next move.

TO BE CONTINUED...